5 Easy Ways to Involve Kids in Family History

Zipporah Miles looks through a water feature at the RootsTech conference. Image via LDS.org.

This article was originally published by Marianne Holman Prescott for Church News. The following is an excerpt.

Simple activities—when planned out properly—can turn a regular hobby into a lesson in family history.

Ginny Ackerson has been involved in family history work for more than four decades and serves on the Utah Genealogical Association Board. Following RootsTech conference’s theme, “Celebrating Families Across Generations,” Sister Ackerson spoke of easy ways parents can integrate stories from their family history in fun activities.

Whether it is writing in a journal, coloring pages, putting together a family storybook, or even playing a game, simple activities can be turned into teaching tools.

1. Journal writing

With a few supplies, parents can help their children create their own history from a very young age. Acid-free paper, pens, and a place to store the paper make it easy for people of all ages to compile a journal. For many, thinking of what to write is the hardest part.

Sister Ackerson encouraged parents to create prompts, questions, or topics to discuss for themselves and their children. Prompts don’t need to be long or extremely thought out. Many are available online for those who need help to start writing. While some prompts encourage children to describe their lives as they are, other prompts—such as “what if” questions—allow children to use their imagination.

Kylie is a writer at LDS.net and graduate of BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She grew up in a Chicago suburb where she gained a passion for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoys writing and live event video production.